The Parish Churches of Ranworth with Panxworth,
South Walsham, Upton and Woodbastwick

Ranworth tower

Almost all of our visitors love to climb the eighty-nine spiral steps
and two ladders to the top of the flint-lined tower of St Helen’s Church.

The view is spectacular. Much of the Norfolk Broads river system is visible
interlaced with boats that weave their way in a constantly changing pattern
of light through farmland and marshes that grow traditional Norfolk thatching
reed. A survey by Ray Martin of the West Midlands using a calibrated telescope
lists nearly two hundred sites in the Cromer–Norwich–Great
Yarmouth area, including 116 churches, numerous windmills and wind drainage
pumps, Happisburgh lighthouse and even the top of Norwich Cathedral.

On a good day, one can see the impressive wind turbines of the wind farm
at West Somerton; Norfolk is one of the windiest places in England.

View from Ranworth Church tower showing the thatched Broadland Conservation Centre and Ranworth Dyke leading to the River Bure

The weather vane on top of the tower tells the story of Brother
Pacificus, a 16th century monk from St.Benet's abbey who restored the rood
screen in Ranworth church.